Creativity Matters at the Scottish Parliament

Published: 09 Dec 2016

Last night (Thursday 8 December) saw our annual reception at the Scottish Parliament, hosted by Ash Denham MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, and attended by Members of the Scottish Parliament, Ministers, partner organisations and guests from across the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland.

This year’s event brought artists and creative professionals together with our elected politicians to celebrate the range and breadth of cultural excellence in Scotland and to underline the message that Creativity Mattersto all our lives.

MSPs and invited guests enjoyed a stunning performance by Sir James Macmillan and the young brass players from Auchinleck and Cumnock Concert Band, featuring John Kenny on the Carnyx - the first time this unique and special instrument has been played in the Parliament.

Edinburgh Art Festival showcased the beautiful work of artist Ciara Phillips and the Dazzle Ship project while CraftScotland presented the work of weaver James Donald and guests could get creative making their own jewellery with silversmith Bryony Knox.

Digital games curators We Throw Switches were in attendance, exhibiting the fantastic games and digital creations of Ant Workshop, Biome Collective, Kirsty Keach, Maki Yamazaki, Niall Moodie and Space Budgie.

On the day that the Scottish Government announced record levels of film and TV production spend, guests also had a chance to enjoy the Film in Scotland showreel alongside the recently developed double CD, produced for this year’s World Music Expo, showcasing some of Scotland’s best trad and folk music.

As well as an inspiring, knowledgable and thought provoking speech from our host Ash Denham, we also heard from Joan McAlpine, MSP for South Scotland and the convener of the Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee at the Scottish Parliament, and from our Chief Executive, Janet Archer, who said:

“Artists and creative people stimulate our collective imagination, they generate wellbeing through social gatherings, they raise ambition and help us see how to make the impossible possible. I think it’s really important that we accelerate support for artists to play a visible role in society."

The Garden Lobby of the Parliament was packed with music, craft, film, art, and digital gaming, providing a vibrant and resonant example of why Creativity Matters.

Did you know that 87% believe it is right that there should be public funding of arts and cultural activities in Scotland? Find out why we think Creativity Matters-&nbspCreative Scotland